Culutral Differences
...namese people use chopsticks to pick the food from these plates. Napkins are generally not needed. Vietnamese wash their hands and face before and after a meal. They are poor and can not afford napkins in Vietnam. A Vietnamese eats with the bowl of rice rested on their hand and not on the table. It is considered the lazy man’s way to set the bowl on the table. Soups are considered an exception. My uncle told me, “Bowls are brought to the mouth to eat with chopsticks.” Chopsticks are not allowed to be tapped on bowls. My aunt told me that doing so will invite the evil spirits to come and eat with the party. Americans have a superstitious belief of spilling salt. Spilling salt was believed to upset all the good spirits and thus bring bad luck. In Vietnamese custom, no food should be left in an individual’s bowl after a meal. It is considered a waste to leave your food behind. The last bit of food on the remaining dishes are to remain on the table in case someone else wants it. Rob’s family typically wraps up leftover dishes and puts it in the fridge or the trash. In Vietnam, families do not have the luxury of proper food storage of perishable foods. In the old times, perishable foods were seasoned with salt and wrapped in banana leaves. Most Vietnamese living in America follow the traditional Asian diet interspersed with American foods, particularly breads and cereals. Vietnamese people usually have three meals a day. In the cities, breakfast is usually light than lunch. We have soups like “Pho” or “Mi” which consist of rice noodles, thin slices of meat (usually beef), bean sprouts, greens, onions, garlic, mint leaves, and a dash of lemon. Condiments such as Hoisin sauce and hot sauce are used. Lunch and dinner are usually similar in food content. They commonly include rice, vegetables, and some fish or meat. The variety in their diet actually comes from eating fruits and vegetables. Vietnamese are fond of fruits like mangos, papayas, pineapples, bananas, and coconuts. My uncle told me that “calcium is obtained through tofu, fish (including bones), and ice cream.” Fresh milk and cheese can not be bought at your convenience. He said there are a few refrigerators in Vietnam. People usually go grocery shopping everyday. My uncle and aunt were taught how to properly store perishable foods in the U.S. My uncle told me that chips and candy are often avoided in Vietnam where fruits and vegetables are encouraged as an alternative. The average American eats three meals a day also. Rob’s typical diet includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He likes to eat a toast or cereal with milk for breakfast. He said lunch and dinner are more varied. Dinner is his main meal where breakfast and lunch are considered light meals. Part of ...